England v Switzerland

[WestYorksRoyal]

The rumoured formation switch intuitively seems to fit the team much better; more width and balance. Biggest sacrifice is Saka at LWB, but his performances at RW mean he can't really complain at being sacrificed to help the balance of the team. I suspect Bellingham and Foden will both start as attack midfielders and so Palmer will be on the bench.

My biggest concern is still about running in behind. Kane played a similar formation at Spurs but one of the men behind him was Son. Who is going to make the runs that create the space?

[Hendo]

This formation sets them up a little better v the oppo as well, who also play a back 3, as did Denmark.

Although it does seem to be a forced changed due to the suspension of MG.

[Royal Rother]

If he accidentally stumbles on a formation that works he will elevate himself even further into the lead in the luckiest manager ever table!

[Dirk Gently]

Jude Bellingham has been fined €30,000 (£25,400) and given a suspended one-match ban by Uefa for the lewd gesture he made after scoring England’s dramatic equali­ser against Slovakia

[Franchise FC]

Jude Bellingham has been fined €30,000 (£25,400) and given a suspended one-match ban by Uefa for the lewd gesture he made after scoring England’s dramatic equali­ser against Slovakia

That’s about 30 minutes salary isn’t it ?

[Dirk Gently]

Jude Bellingham has been fined €30,000 (£25,400) and given a suspended one-match ban by Uefa for the lewd gesture he made after scoring England’s dramatic equali­ser against Slovakia

That’s about 30 minutes salary isn’t it ?

Something like that. It's more the suspended ban that's of concern - he's young and impulsive and needs to keep a bit more control because he'll be a marked man.

[Sutekh]

Jude Bellingham has been fined €30,000 (£25,400) and given a suspended one-match ban by Uefa for the lewd gesture he made after scoring England’s dramatic equali­ser against Slovakia

That’s about 30 minutes salary isn’t it ?

Something like that. It's more the suspended ban that's of concern - he's young and impulsive and needs to keep a bit more control because he'll be a marked man.

So what incurs the suspension, another lewd gesture or any form of misbehaviour?

[Sanguine]

If he accidentally stumbles on a formation that works he will elevate himself even further into the lead in the luckiest manager ever table!

Some England fans don't deserve to see us win a tournament.

[Franchise FC]

If he accidentally stumbles on a formation that works he will elevate himself even further into the lead in the luckiest manager ever table!

Some England fans don't deserve to see us win a tournament.

Absolutely
If Jimmy Greaves hadn’t got injured Geoff Hurst wouldn’t have played in ‘66
Apparently, Alf Ramsey was lucky, then

[Loafer]

i hate southgate, hate england football team and actively hope we oxf*rd get smashed

i was actually pissed off when jude scored

[Royal Rother]

If he accidentally stumbles on a formation that works he will elevate himself even further into the lead in the luckiest manager ever table!

Some England fans don't deserve to see us win a tournament.

I'm a bit of an old fart these days for sure, but after 58 years of watching us underperform in so many aspects, on so many occasions, I think I'll deserve it well enough.

But if we win it playing like we have done, then it won't mean an awful lot to me I fear. A nice little mark in history I suppose, but I think I'd find it more of a laugh than something to celebrate.

But who knows - I haven't had much practice.

If a new formation frees up our attacking talent and we turn over a completely new leaf tomorrow, blowing Switzerland away with a great performance I'll love it. But Southgate's unbending philosophy makes that a very unlikely outcome.

[Royal Rother]

i hate southgate, hate england football team and actively hope we oxf*rd get smashed

i was actually pissed off when jude scored

Dunno about that, but I do find it hard to take much joy in undeserved results achieved from utterly joyless football.

[Sutekh]

i hate southgate, hate england football team and actively hope we oxf*rd get smashed

i was actually pissed off when jude scored

Dunno about that, but I do find it hard to take much joy in undeserved results achieved from utterly joyless football.

Really think GS is the antidote to entertaining and attacking football.

[Royal Rother]

There seems to be optimism bubbling up that the anticipated back 3 will unleash our attacking potential.

A couple of rapid attacks from the Swiss will probably put paid to that, pushing us back into a back 5, creating total disconnect between midfield and attack, leaving Kane isolated, dropping deeper and deeper.... (we’ve seen it all before).

Southgate, recognising this of course, will bring Palmer, Gordon and Toney on in the 88th minute.

Come on England, FFS prove me wrong. Please.

[Snowflake Royal]

There seems to be optimism bubbling up that the anticipated back 3 will unleash our attacking potential.

A couple of rapid attacks from the Swiss will probably put paid to that, pushing us back into a back 5, creating total disconnect between midfield and attack, leaving Kane isolated, dropping deeper and deeper.... (we’ve seen it all before).

Southgate, recognising this of course, will bring Palmer, Gordon and Toney on in the 88th minute.

Come on England, FFS prove me wrong. Please.

I can't say a back three is something I relish against the Swiss.

Vargas and N'Doye staying wide and pinning back the not exactly great defenders of Saka and TAA? Whilst 3 CBs mark Embolo.

Or 3 CBs going 1v1 with Vargas, Embolo and N'Doye with Freuiler breaking in from midfield.

[Winston Biscuit]

[South Coast Royal]

I really don't know what hold Trippier has over Southgate.

We all know Trent's limitations at defending (although Trippier IMHO is no better) but most fans would consider Trent to be the best right wing back in English football but clearly Southgate is in the minority.

We are still somehow favourites to win this competition despite the abject performances but I suppose a route to the final once again is so much less competitive than the other side of the draw where all the big boys have been playing.

Having seen England win a world cup and not just a lesser competition like the Euros I am not craving success like many on here and am with RR more than with some others who would just like to see England win something regardless of performance.

Surely this lot will step up one day and play to the potential that the players threaten with their club performances and let's hope that tonight is the night.

[NathStPaul]

More Liverpool based bias from South Coast Royal.

[Winston Biscuit]

Big Winst Predicts:

England 2-0 Switzerland, and a pretty solid performance which makes us all dream big of lifting a trophy.

(This is very much heart over head, but that's who I am, deal with it)

[Franchise FC]

I’m going radio silent until after the game

Just want it over